Mike Wallace Says He Has To Do What He Has To Do, But Says Both Sides Are Talking

Pittsburgh Steelers restricted free agent Mike Wallace was interviewed by Adam Schein and Jim Miller on SiriusXM NFL Radio and was asked about several topics that included the change of offensive coordinators as well as his pending free agency situation.

Wallace was asked if his mind wonders to thinking about the possibility of leaving the Steelers and signing with another team. Wallace replied, “Well the position that I am in, I\’m always going to think about it sometimes because I have never been in this position before. So it\’s kind of hard to just not think about anything. So yeah, my mind wonders from time to time, but my heart is definitely in Pittsburgh. That\’s where I would like to be at, but we all know that it\’s a business and you have certain things that you have to handle. So if I have to go elsewhere, you know Pittsburgh will always be in my heart, but I have to do what I have to do.”

Wallace was then asked if the San Francisco 49ers or the New England Patriots would be two teams that he would consider signing with and Wallace replied, “Most definitely. Those are two playoff caliber teams, Super Bowl caliber teams, and I think the right piece to those guys would put them over the top. All they need is that one more piece to any one of those puzzles I think on both sides of those teams. So most definitely they\’re Super Bowl contending teams. So I would most definitely, if I were to go anywhere else, that would definitely be two teams because this is a situation of them being contenders. I wouldn\’t want to go anywhere and leave the situation where I am at that has a great quarterback, a great organization and go somewhere where I don\’t feel I can succeed.”

Wallace was later asked about a few other teams that might have interest in him and specifically if he could see himself signing a contract with the Baltimore Ravens. Wallace replied, “(Laughs) We better hope that it doesn\’t have to come down that. Like I said, I want to stay in Pittsburgh, but I have to do what\’s best for me and my family. So if Baltimore is the team that I have to go to, I would have to consider it even though that I know the situation.”

Wallace was asked if a new deal is not done by the start of free agency, is his mentality one that he thought he would no longer be a Steeler. Wallace replied, “That\’s the mentality that you almost have to take and look at it, but I definitely don\’t want to look at it that way, because that is the team that drafted me, that\’s the team that took a chance on me. So I would love to be there.” When asked if he and his agent were currently in talks with the Steelers about a new deal, Wallace said, “Yeah they\’re talking, but I don\’t know how far they are going to get right now, because you know the situation. I know that they are working trying to get it taken care of and get me done. I know I talk to my coaches and I talk to everybody and I\’m positive about the situation. It\’s just a situation that will have to play itself out. I know they\’re working hard trying to take care of it, but I don\’t know. We\’ll see.”

Wallace was asked about how antsy he is right now that a decision is on the horizon for him and the Steelers to which Wallace replied, “Yep, it\’s kind of frustrating, because I feel like I have done everything I can. Wallace continued, “I\’ve been staying out of trouble. Most of the time when people part ways it because you are not producing or you have done something wrong. So it\’s kind of frustrating , but I understand. I\’ve been saying since day one that I understand it\’s a business, so you just have to go through this process and take the good with the bad and you know, roll with it.”

During the interview Wallace was asked if he sensed a change was coming at offensive coordinator this offseason and what his thoughts were on the change from Bruce Arians to Todd Haley. Wallace answered, “I didn\’t really think so. I thought B.A. did a great job this year. I thought it was like one of the best years since I have been there. I think he put us in a great position to make great plays. So, I didn\’t think that was going to happen, but obviously you don\’t know a lot of things that are going on behind the scenes. So I am just going to roll with the flow. We get a new coach; I just have to go with it. I trust everything coach Tomlin and the Rooney\’s do. so I\’m with it. I\’m all aboard.”

Wallace was asked if he thought Mike Tomlin and Arians were on the same page in regards to the offense and Wallace answered, “I don\’t know. I don\’t see why not. It seems like we were productive. I just think our red zone offense was just a little below average, so I don\’t know if that had anything to do with it. But like I said, I like the plays that B.A. was calling. I think he put all of us in a great position to succeed and use all of our experiences. I think he knew what everybody\’s experiences were and I think he was doing a great job putting the ball in peoples hands in certain situations.

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Dave, how does this interview change your perspective on the outcome of the Wallace saga? I am less optimistic than I was yesterday.

SteelersDepot

I consider it posturing to try to turn up the heat to finish the deal.

Ron Jammes

One must remember that he doesn’t have to sign an offer sheet, he can take the offer to the steelers and have them work a deal. However, If I was his agent I would ask for about 11-12 mill per over 4 years with 20 grand front loaded. If they give me that I sign. I also think that the teams will be reluctant to spend a lot one one player. They do lose a draft pick that would cost only a fraction. That’s because of the reduced salaries for draft picks. That wasn’t true years ago.

Wdmason

I hope he goes to the Colts.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ESU2VFZHEUTQEPJ7AWSN7ODBPQ Emac2

My read is the Steelers have decided to go the 2.7 route and take the single first round pick. Mike sounds ready to go.

Getting a guard and DL in the first round would allow us to let Hampton and Kemo go while saving 9 or 10 mil. We’re probably better off going that direction though good WR’s aren’t as easy to get as it’s seemed the last couple of years. We’ve been more then a bit lucky.

I’m thinking we should have Troy play MILB with Timmons too. Drop Foote and Farrior.

Eric87

His heart is in Pittsburgh, but I gotta do what is best for my family. Pretty much saying if the Steelers offer me a fair league price i will stay, if not then goodbye. Not a very incouraging interview in my perspective. hope Omar Khan is in the backgroung getting ready to work some more magic!!

Eric87

I hope that you are right, I don’t like the idea of letting another dangerous weapon leave, getting rid of holmes sucked!!! Tho he was a bit of a trouble-maker off of the field, he was also a superbowl hero, so……

Eric87

great, so we could lose, Wallace, Ward, and Cotchery in the same season, there goes the dangerous passing attack

Eric87

I hope you are joking about troy, lol. I agree though. If wallace leaves, we go guard first round, maybe even use the pick to trade up for decastro if possible. Could go with glenn if makes it, then draft poe if still around, or move up for him. Definitely need an “alan faneca” style guard to the left of pouncey and I believe that the o-line has somewhat fortified itself all of a sudden if that happens.

Eric87

We are all speculating that the teams with two draft picks will go after wallace, but pure speculation. If I was gm or head coach those two picks would be moving me up right around pick 11-15 of the draft. The patriots have more need than at wr, the bengals need a rb or safety, the 49ers scare me a bit. I doubt that teams with just one 1st rounder would give that away for a wr when the wr free agent class this year is ourageously deep.

Wdmason

The posturing doesnt bother me. Its the part about wanting to go to a team that needs only one more piece to the puzzle. As if he is saying that these 2 teams are better and he is the missing piece they need to go over the top. Is this about money or about playing on a better team? Maybe Im reading too much in between the lines. I hope he stays and I believe he will stay if offered enough money.

ZippoSteelers

From reading his comments, Screw wallace, let him go.Even if we keep him I will never be a wallace fan, He is not that great in big games. We can then sign cotchery and ward and sign a young speedster to keep the defense stretched out. Today the difference is The Steelers are no longer a running team and have a pathetic O-line that couldn’t clear holes for Bettis or zeroway if they were both in their prime. No fullback sucks too. They need a fast WR, not like the old days and old rules when it wasn’t as crucial to the gameplan. But Watching Wallace in the second half of the season he is pretty pathetic under double coverage and does not fight for the ball at all. Not much seperation on his routes. he is not as good as he thinks he is. I have watched plenty of football in my lifetime and have seen many other receivers who also obtain 1000yds receiving, And look way better than wallace does doing it. Clutch guys. Now Haley has his hands full with this schlub, Hopefully Haley will be in his face enough where he will start to care about winning games and making plays when it counts more than his own stats and bravado on how good he is. I would like to see him go to the bengals so The defense can hammer this punk. Harrison stuffing him for a loss at full speed would be more than worth it. Niners should get him and unlike their fluke of an injury free season, They should get their fare share of injuries this year and get owned by the saints or packers.

Wdmason

I have to admit Wallace looked very bad at the end of the season. He catches balls with his body instead of his hands and stands around watching when he should be blocking.

But his one-trick pure speed is the best in the game and hes not exactly hands of (Dwight) stone. I also watched how good he played the first half and the season prior. I think we need to keep him. Be thankful hes not unrestricted. At least we get something back in return if we lose him this year.

http://www.FromThisSeat.com/ FromThisSeat.com

Bengals fans seem to be convinced Wallace could become a Bengal. What free agent that has multiple offers would want to sign with the Bengals even though the future looks bright with Dalton and Green?

Luiscrrsco

I think Wallace has a valid point saying he’s done his part of the deal to be keeper.. staying out of trouble and producing… his absence at the end of the season was mostly due to ben’s injury..

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